| Year | Recipient | National recognition |
| 1966 | Ruby Riach (NSW) | Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to education |
| 1996 | Gay McDonald (NSW) | Isabel Horne Award ($1500) |
| 1997 | Ruth Mainsbridge (Tas) | Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for recognition of outstanding contribution to the home economics profession, education and the community |
| 2001 | Associate Professor Suzanne Russell AM (V) | Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours for service to consumer advocacy, protection and education, particularly regarding food standards, and as a contributor to policy and legislation relating to improving standards and product safety in Australia |
| 2012 | Dr Pamela Williams OAM (V) | Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours for service to women's health through executive roles with breast cancer awareness organisation |
| 2015 | Judith Ryles OAM (V) | Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours for service to the community of Melbourne. |
| 2017 | Dr Janet Reynolds (Q) | Induction into Associations Hall of Fame for enduring service to HEIA |
| 2018 | Marilyn Yates (WA) | Induction into Associations Hall of Fame for enduring service to HEIA |
| 2024 | Professor Donna Pendergast AM (Q) | Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours for significant service to tertiary education |
